Some examples in this section show what various projects can cost.

Obviously, rates depend on how long the book is, but the whole process can be relatively inexpensive.

There are really only two basics to costing the production of your book:

1. How much time it takes me to get the book into a print-ready format. This can vary enormously, depending on whether the copy I am given is virtually final, in need of heavy editing, or starts from scratch. All materials have to be uploaded onto computer, one way or another. Fortunately I have excellent programs to facilitate this.
2. The cost of actually printing the book charged by the printer. This can vary widely, depending on the format of the book and the numbers printed. They can be printed in just black (i.e. in grey scale), or in full colour to enhance photos and illustrations. I negotiate print options with printers to cater for all budgets.
   • The very cheapest option is simply printing off A4 pages on a computer printer, and then binding them with a plastic spine. This is acceptable for books up to say 30-80 pages, although they will always be seen as an economy measure, and won’t be as sturdy as bound books.
     • Jack’s life story using this approach cost around $350 (editing and printing) for 25 copies. He could have had them printed in colour for only a few dollars more.
   • Maybe you could have a folded A4 booklet, stapled down the spine. We can use a heavy glossy cover sheet, and with colour and trim, in colour or grey-scale, it looks very professional, and could run up to 80 pages quite easily.
     • Molly requested a history of her club, printed in full colour. It was an A5-sized booklet of 48 pages, which looked extremely professional, and for 250 copies the total cost of editing and printing was a little over $600 (editing and printing).
   • For a bigger booklet, or ‘paperback’ style of book of say 200 to 300 pages, pages are ‘perfect-bound’ professionally. We can include pictures related to the text, which often adds much to the stories of your life, and large-print text.
     • Agnes had written over 50 stories from her long life, resulting in a full colour book on high quality paper of 230 pages, fully bound and absolutely professional. For the editing and printing of 100 books, she paid around $2,800 (editing and printing), and recouped much of this cost through book sales.
     • Peter’s books of Aussie poems and pictures ran to 112 pages, and for a total outlay of $1800 (editing and printing), he ordered 85 books of very high quality. They sold out quickly!
     • Tom has now completed three very professional paper-backs. He also printed hard back copies of one of his books, which cost a little more, but look exceptional! Tom has also provided his fourth novel manuscript to prepare for printing, and has almost finished a fifth. He says the whole experience has been simply wonderful for him, and his only regret is that he took over 20 years from writing his first manuscript to actually getting it into print. Each of his books has come in between $2,500 and $4,000 (editing plus printing), as he has printed larger numbers.
   • One client, who has enjoyed a major international role of working at managerial level, has asked for the publication of a large ‘coffee-table’ book, in hard cover, bound with a coloured dust jacket. That is quite a book, and relatively expensive. Such projects are individually costed.
   • The more books you have printed, the cheaper the cost per book. But with the ‘print on demand’ technology that is available, it’s no problem to print just a few e.g., 2, 10, 25, 50 or any number of copies. Extra copies are often printed as books sell out and more are wanted.
   • I get no financial benefit from the printers, just the satisfaction of seeing quality books produced economically for clients.

At all stages of the process, I provide quotes and estimates for clients, and continue to update clients with costing as the project develops.

By the way, I offer a discount for Seniors Card holders and Aged Pensioners.